With the proud seal of #OrgullosaMENTEUnicaucano, Universidad del Cauca will be present at the grand finale of the Huawei ICT Competition 2024–2025, an internationally renowned event taking place later this month in China. On May 6, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC) held a ceremony at the main auditorium of the Murillo Toro Building in Bogotá to recognize and bid farewell to the students from our Alma Mater who will represent Colombia.

The tribute, presided over by the Minister of ICT, Julián David Molina; the Chinese Ambassador to Colombia, Zhu Jingyang; and the President of the Colombian Chamber of Informatics and Telecommunications (CCIT), Alberto Yohai, featured an emotional panel highlighting the students’ experiences and expectations for the international final of the Huawei ICT Competition 2024–2025. The panel, moderated by Yohai, included the presence of Deibar René Hurtado Herrera, Rector of Universidad del Cauca, as well as students Juan Manuel David, Erika Valencia (Cloud Track), and Fabián Pérez (Network Track).

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Juan Manuel David Pérez, a Cloud Track student, expressed with enthusiasm:

“This is an opportunity to show that, from our university and from regions that often lack visibility in the tech world, young people with the skills and potential to take on global challenges are also being trained. It reflects the value of public education and the commitment that students and professors put in every day to keep moving forward.”

For Professor Catalina Muñoz, coordinator of the Huawei Academy at Universidad del Cauca,

“It is very rewarding to see our work with the students bear fruit and reach this stage of the competition.”

This recognition not only celebrates academic achievement, but also marks a national milestone, as both teams representing Colombia in this year’s global final are from Universidad del Cauca, making it the only institution in the country to qualify for the world stage of the competition.

“I am deeply proud and privileged to represent an institution that is a national treasure—Universidad del Cauca—founded in 1827 by Generals Santander and Bolívar. As we approach our 200th anniversary, it’s worth remembering that the university has educated 17 Colombian presidents and, since establishing its Faculty of Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications in 1961, has played a key role in training engineers who are building the country and contributing to regional development,” said Rector Deibar René Hurtado.

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This great news is the result of the commitment and effort of a brilliant group of students, whose journey began in September 2024 when dozens registered for the competition. After advancing through the national qualifier in January 2025, two teams were formed:

• Network Team: Mauricio Peña Bambague, Fabián Alexander Pérez Jiménez, and Bryan Andrés Suárez Sánchez
• Cloud Team: Erika Valencia Arango, Juan Manuel David Pérez, and Deiby Zair Melo Olivar

In February, during the national phase, both teams excelled—earning first place in Cloud and second place in Network, which secured their entry into the regional phase. Held in March, this stage featured competitors from Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador. Our Unicaucan teams once again stood out, taking second place in Cloud and third in Network. These achievements now lead them to the global final in China, a chance not only to showcase their talent, but to represent Colombia and public education in the country’s southwest.

This isn’t a first for Universidad del Cauca: the 2024–2025 cycle marks its fourth consecutive appearance in the Huawei ICT Competition global final. Let’s recall:

• In 2021–2022, the Network Team participated
• In 2022–2023, both Network and Cloud Teams represented Colombia
• In 2023–2024, the spotlight was again on the Network Team
• Now, in 2024–2025, both Network and Cloud Teams will carry the flag

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Each milestone is a testament to the relentless effort of our students, the unwavering support of a university that believes in its people, and the conviction that from this corner of Colombia, high-quality knowledge is created—driven by talent and destined for global impact. Today, we celebrate their journey with pride and send our best wishes for the next stage, confident they will continue to honor the name of Universidad del Cauca and prove that dreams born in Cauca can also change the world.

The future of technology is in the best hands. And though you are already winners, we’ll be waiting to welcome you back at the end of the month—as world champions!

 

Written by: Center for Communications Management